Edwin ingram



(No Model.)

' E. INGRAM.

GAR COUPLING. No. 286,444. 4 Patented Oct. 9, 1883.

UNITED STATES EDWIN INGRAM, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENIISYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE NATIONAL AUTOMATIC CAR COUPLER COMPANY, OF ITEVV JERSEY.

cAR-couPLiNe.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 286,444, dated October 9, 1883.

Application filed July 6, 1883. (No model.)

To atZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN INGRAM, of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Car-Couplings, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of carcouplings wherein a vertically-swinging link connected to one of the draw-heads is designed to engage by a downwardly swinging movement with the opposite draw-head, and is designed more particularly as an improvement upon the coupling represented in the patent to E. "vVebber, January 9, 1883, No. 270,523.

The aim of the present invention is to render the device more simple and efficient in its action, and to permit the use in an ordinary manner of an elongated link in place of the expensive device represented in the original 520 patent.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my improved draw-head and coupling. Fig. 2 is a top plaaview of the same. Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the samelooking toward its mouth or end. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the link.

A A represent the two draw-h eads, constructed in essentially the same form and manner as those described in the prior patent, each with 0 cavities or chambers (L in its front face to re ceive the ordinary coupling-pin, whereby the head may beunited to cars fitted with the ordinary appliances. The head is surmounted at the front by-a raised portion, 0, over and around which the end of the link is engaged, and by means of which the car is drawn. In rear of this horn the head is recessed in the upper side, as shown at D, to admit the end of the link, which is confined therein by means of a longitudinal'slide, b, seated in a groove in the upper face of the head, as shown. This slide is designed to be thrown forward by the impact or concussion produced when the cars are brought together for the purpose of actu- 5 ating the link and moving the same forward that it may engage with the opposite drawhead, its action in this regard being similar to that in the original patent. In place, however, of employing the peculiarly-formed link and the stud on the under side of the slide to act upon said link, I now employ a link of an elongated form with circular ends,.as shown in Fig. 4, and provide the slide with laterallyextending arms 8, the extremities of which are bent forward, this arm being adapted to engage behind the link to support the same in an inclined position, and to throw the same forward as the heads are brought together. This action will be more clearly understood on reference to the link represented in dotted 6 lines on' the right hand of Fig. 1.

The lower end of the link is seated in the recess in the top of the drawhead, and the end of the slide passed through it to retain it in position. The slide being moved backward until it bears 6 against a stop-shoulder, E, formed on the drawhead, the link is turned upward and backward past the perpendicular and supported against the forward face of the arm 6, as shown. Being thus sustained, the concussion produced by bringing the two cars together causes the slide to be thrown forward, whereupon its arms 6, acting against the rear face of the link, throw the same forward past the perpendicular, whereupon it falls into the position rep- 7 5 resented in Fig. 1, its free end engaging over and around the horn in the opposite drawhead. The forward extension of the arms 0 enables the same to engage past the sides of the link, in order to maintain the same in an upright position and to prevent it from falling laterally. As an additional means of maintaining the link in its elevated position, I prefer to flatten theouter ends of the same, as represented in Fig. 4, a single flat surface, or two flat surfaces beveled in opposite directions, being employed, as preferred.

In constructing the links I prefer to make the same of such width that when not required 7 for action they may be dropped downward c around and past the head, as represented in the right hand of Fig. 1, so as to hand below the same. The link is also constructed of such form and size as to admit of its being turned end for end in the head to which it is attached, 5 so that it may be placed, as shown, crosswise of the head.

In constructing the head I prefer to provide the same on each side with a lug or projection,

'21, against the forward ends of which the link :00

may hear when it is in its pendent position. By thus sustaining the link so that it cannot swing to and fro, the constant weaving action which would otherwise take place is prevented.

At'its upper surface the horn of the drawhead may be provided with a gravitating latch in substantially the same manner and for the same purpose as the latch represented in the original patent.

The lugs i maintain the link 'in such position that when out of action it is prevented from swinging to and fro and being needlessly worn and weakened, as would otherwise oc our. The construction of the link so that it may be placed transversely of the head is advantageous in that it facilitates what is commonly known in the art as making a flying switch.

The present invention is restricted to those 5 matters and things which are hereinafter described, and as to all matters which may be' described or shown, but which are not claimed, the right is reserved to make the same the} subject of a separate application.

I am aware that oblong links have been used for coupling cars in connectionwith coupling- 1 pins, and also with heads in which the links stand vertically or on edge when in action. My 1 improvement consists in the combination of a link of this peculiar form with a draw-head; of the special form herein shown, the link swinging downward into engagementand lying when in action in a horizontal position.

Having thusdeseribed my invention, what I claim i's 1. In combination with the draw-head and link, the slide having laterally-extended arms 6, to engage behind the link for the purpose of supporting the same and of throwing or tip ping the same forward. I I

2. In combination with the Ldraw-head and' link, the longitudinal slide mounted upon said draw-head, and provided with laterally-extending arms, the extremities of which are eX- tended forward, as described, whereby they are adapted to prevent the link from falling laterally.

3. In an automatic coupling, the combination, with two draw-heads having upright horns on their upper sides, as described, of an ob- 1 long coupling-link adapted to engage and disengage the horns by a'vertical motion, and to be extended either longitudinally or transversely with respect to the heads, as described and shown.

4. The draw-head provided with a top horn i or shoulder to receive the link, and with lateral shoulders or studs adapted to hold the link when out of action in an inclined position, whereby the link is prevented from swinging and weaving.

EDWIN INGRAM.

WVitnesses:

D. R. PATTERSON, FRANK D. GRAHAM. 

